What is a Road Safety Audit?

A Road Safety Audit is an evaluation of a highway improvement scheme during design, at the end of construction and post-construction, to identify road safety problems and to suggest measures to eliminate or mitigate any concerns. Road Safety Audits are undertaken by teams of specialists trained in the skills of accident investigation or road safety engineering.

All strategic road schemes and the majority of new works are required to have an independent Road Safety Audit. Road Safety Audits aim to identify potential road safety hazards arising from planned changes to the road layout but they are not technical checks against design standards or traffic regulations.

In carrying out Road Safety Audits, the Audit team should consider road safety issues for all road users and will ask two key questions of the scheme

  • Who could be hurt in a collision on this part of the road and how could that happen?
  • What can be done to reduce the potential for that collision or to limit its consequences?

Road Safety Audits

Safety Audits are conducted in accordance with HD19/03 of the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (Road Safety Audit)

Road Safety Audits go through four key phases and are as follows:-

Sometimes the Safety Audits can be combined; most often if the works are smaller in nature, or time scales are tight a Stage 1 & 2 Road Safety Audit maybe carried out together.

Some highway improvement schemes may not require a Stage 4 Road Safety Audits unless the relevant authority request further accident monitoring/investigation.

The Road Safety Audit team members may be from the same company undertaking the Highway Improvement scheme design but have to be independent of any scheme design or process.

Road Safety Audits may be undertaken on highway schemes covering:

  • Major and minor highway improvements
  • Traffic management and calming schemes
  • Pedestrian and cycling schemes
  • Roundabout junctions
  • New or amended traffic signal junctions
  • Priority junctions
  • Motorway improvement

Non-Motorised User Audits

Government policy encourages consideration of the needs of non-motorised users and supports efforts to increase safety and accessibility by non-motorised modes.

The non-motorised user audit is defined as: A systematic process applied to Highway Schemes, by which the Design Team identifies scheme objectives for non-motorised users, documents the design decisions affecting non-motorised users, and reviews designs and construction to assess how well objectives have been achieved.

Non-motorised users are considered to be pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians. Non-motorised user audits require particular consideration to be given to the needs of disabled people, who may use any of these modes or other equipment such as wheelchairs.

Require Assistance with a Road Safety Audit?

Sanderson Associates have extensive experience in providing Road Safety Audits for a wide variety of major and minor developments throughout the whole of the UK, Isle of Man and Ireland.

We would be pleased to provide you with our competitive fee proposal to provide you with our Road Safety Audit Services, please call us on 01924 844080 or click here to complete our secure online form.


What our Clients' say:

Shaun Sabet, Director – Sequential and Exception Test, Proposed Residential Development

Mon 20 May 2013

We approached Sanderson Associates to provide us with a bespoke report to accompany our Flood Risk Assessment. Due to the specialist nature of our requirement, other consultants turned the job down, but Darren’s enthusiasm and commitment inspired us with confidence. The report was undertaken diligently and in a timely manner and most importantly a clever solution to our problem was identified which has put us … Continue reading →

Alexandra Grieveson, Dealer Principle – Flood Risk Assessment, Commercial Development

Mon 13 May 2013

Sanderson provided a Flood Risk Assessment for a recent acquisition. They liaised with the Environment Agency on our behalf and produced a comprehensive report to support a planning application for a commercial development. Despite a requirement for the plans to be modified, therefore altering the report content, Darren was flexible and customer focused. This was my first experience of working with Sanderson; they were competent … Continue reading →

Thomas Dine, Architect, Flood Risk Assessment – Proposed Residential Development

Thu 25 April 2013

Sanderson Associates provided excellent advice on flood risk in a difficult low-lying area and provided a report which assisted in gaining planning permission, all at a very reasonable cost.

Mr D Round – Individual – Flood Risk Statement

Wed 17 April 2013

On Friday afternoon, before my son was due to exchange contracts for the purchase of his new home, on the following week, he received an adverse report, from his solicitor’s property searches, that the home he was about to purchase could be at risk from pluvial flooding, and was likely to have difficulties with property insurance. This report seemed inaccurate but we couldn’t take the … Continue reading →

Joe Coffey – CD Builders Ltd – Swept Path Analysis (Residential Development)

Tue 26 March 2013

Sandersons provided an extremely efficient service for a competitive price. Nothing was too much trouble for the engineer assigned to our project and his problem solving attitude was admirable

Mrs W Sockett – Planning Consultant – Preliminary Highway Design (Caravan Site)

Thu 21 March 2013

I have used Sanderson Associates for numerous projects and would recommend them to others without question. I have always found them to be friendly, efficient and professional in addition to providing robust and detailed reports/plans.

Mr A Cardillo-Zallo – Swept Path Analysis (Residential Development)

Thu 21 March 2013

Darren and the team at Sanderson Associates proved very useful when I required a Swept Path Analysis for my application site at very short notice. Not only did he complete the task successfully within 6 hours of my request, but made design changes to the parking layout to help meet the Highways Officer’s requirement. A very good service.

Mr A Appleby – Swept Path Analysis (Industrial Warehouse Development)

Wed 13 March 2013

From my initial contact, with Sanderson Associates up to completion and delivery of the analysis, they have been very helpful and professional. The service is thorough, extremely fast, and I wouldn’t hesitate to use them again.

Dr A Wright – Transport Statement (Residential Development)

Fri 25 January 2013

Sanderson Associates were recommended by our architects to help support our planning application. Throughout the process their approach was highly professional and we believe that their help and support was crucial to the success of our project.

Steve Gibson, Director, SGD Ltd – Swept Path Analysis

Wed 7 November 2012

I have used Sanderson’s numerous times for vehicle tracking. They provide a superb service, fast and accurate.

Colin Taylor, Balmain London Ltd – Flood Risk Assessment

Tue 6 November 2012

I write to thank you for all your efforts to complete the Flood Risk Assessment for the Fulham project in such a timely and complete way. We appreciate the service you have given us and will not hesitate to contact you again. We found your report and service to be both thorough and comprehensive throughout.

Nik Bashir, Bella Cars, Huddersfield – Supporting Highway Statement

Wed 24 October 2012

I was recommended Sanderson Associates from my architect. I had just had my planning application refused by the local council. Sanderson’s were most professional, straight to the point and just as keen as me to get the matter resolved. I have been in business for over 12 years and wish I had been introduced to these guys earlier. Adam Darwin was exceptional in his approach … Continue reading →

Tony Whetham, Associate Director, Archial Group

Tue 25 September 2012

I have worked with various members of Sanderson staff over the years and have always found them to be speedy and helpful in preparing and resolving layouts as and when our architectural GA Site plans inevitably get tweaked time and time again by our mutual clients. Best wishes for a prosperous future!

Shiobhain Brennan, Developer, London – Flood Risk Assessment

Mon 10 September 2012

Many thanks for the report and responding so quickly. It is very much appreciated. I will definitely use you again and will be sure to recommend you to fellow developers.

Raymond Harris, Developer, Advice on Section 278 Works

Tue 4 September 2012

It was a pleasure meeting you yesterday and I felt you made tremendous progress and pulled us out of the “land of the unknown”. Your performance was impressive and I thank you. We can now see light at the end of the tunnel.

Road Safety Audit, Road Safety Problems, RSA Stage 1 Road Safety Audit, Stage 2 Road Safety Audit, Stage 3 Road Safety Audit Stage 4 Road Safety Audit, Non Motorised User Audit